Attorneys prosecuting the Kentucky sheriff accused of gunning down a decide in his chamber have collected a “voluminous” quantity of proof that would take as much as six months to evaluate.
Ex-Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines appeared nearly in courtroom Friday for a standing listening to alongside his attorneys from the Leslie County Detention Middle the place he has been holed up since his arrest.
Stines, 44, was indicted on one depend of homicide of a public official after video footage captured him aiming a gun at District Decide Kevin Mullins, 54, contained in the jurist’s workplace on Sept. 19, 2024.
The previous lawman had lunch with Mullins hours earlier than he allegedly shot his longtime pal eight occasions.
The alleged assassin – sporting a grey jumpsuit – sat silently behind his attorneys throughout the listening to, in accordance with courtroom video obtained by CourtTV.
Protection Legal professional Jeremy Bartley instructed Circuit Courtroom Decide Christopher Cohron that he acquired a “voluminous” quantity of proof from the prosecutors within the case, and is now reviewing it.
Cohron was appointed as particular decide for the case final month.
Prosecutor Jackie Steele mentioned the state remains to be discovering extra proof within the case that would take half a 12 months to comb by.
“We nonetheless have some issues coming in and being examined. I might assume throughout the subsequent 4 to 6 months all discovery and testing shall be full,” Steele throughout the listening to Friday.
Neither facet specified the kind of proof that may be used within the pending trial.
The chilling video inside Mullins’ workplace captured the 2 males in what gave the impression to be a heated dialog earlier than Stines pulled out a gun and aimed it on the decide’s head.
Mullins, who was sitting behind his desk, raised his fingers in worry and tried to show away simply moments earlier than Stines allegedly fired eight rounds at him, the footage exhibits.
The footage was proven to prosecutors throughout a preliminary courtroom listening to in October.
Stines surrendered to officers with out incident and resigned as sheriff 11 days later.
Investigators haven’t revealed a motive behind the viral slaying, however authorities beforehand steered a “intercourse scandal” could have contributed to the killing.
A grand jury indicted Stines in November.
Through the listening to, Bartley indicated he’ll ask for a bond for Stines at a later courtroom look.
The ex-sheriff’s bond launch had been in limbo earlier than Cohron’s appointment to the case.
Stines may face the dying penalty if he’s discovered responsible.
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